Learn More About Innovative Microtia Treatment Options

Microtia surgery should address both the cosmetic appearance and the loss of hearing difficulties resulting from aural atresia. To protect patients' health and safety, and ensure excellent surgical results, Dr. Reinisch works with several board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists and an experienced otologist who are trained and experienced in the treatment of aural atresia and hearing loss. Dr. Reinisch is a world renowned microtia surgeon, and patients come from around the world to benefit from his skill, innovative approach to care, and compassionate treatment.

Dr. Reinisch created the revolutionary MEDPOR® ear reconstruction technique in 1991, and it is now recognized as an advanced surgical treatment for microtia. Using porous, biocompatible polyethylene, Dr. Reinisch creates an ear framework that matches a patient’s healthy ear. After attaching the structure, he covers it with the patient’s own tissue, and the cells and blood vessels integrate with the porous polyethylene. The MEDPOR® technique typically requires just one surgery, results in minimal scarring, and can be performed on patients as young as three years old. Because it causes very little discomfort, it can be done as an outpatient procedure without the need for hospitalization or the use of post-operative drains.

Reconstruction using chest cartilage has been the traditional method of reconstruction for the past 55 years. This procedure requires harvesting a portion of three ribs from the chest to make the ear shape. Removing this material from the chest can be quite painful and requires patient to be hospitalized. In order to prevent chest deformity, surgery using this technique is typically delayed until patients are 8-10 years of age. The reason it is delayed is in order to obtain sufficient cartilage to make the ear framework. This procedure cannot be done in younger children without causing a chest deformity.

Patients who do not qualify for MEDPOR® or rib cartilage ear reconstruction may choose to enhance their appearance with a silicone prosthetic ear. Although Dr. Reinisch does not create restorations, he can help determine your candidacy, answer any questions you have, and refer you to an outstanding anaplastologist. Silicone prosthetic ears are simply intended to address the cosmetic affects of microtia - doctors cannot use them to restore or enhance hearing. These prostheses are typically more suitable for adults, since children tend to knock them off during play. Lastly, since they need to be taken off and cleaned, prosthetic ears may not restore patients' self-esteem in the same way as a surgical procedure.

Many microtia patients have a narrow or missing ear canal. Together with an otologist, Dr. Reinisch can perform a computed tomography (CT) scan to examine the tiny bones inside the inner ear. If they are not fused together, a patient may be suitable for middle and inner ear reconstruction. During the procedure, an otologist will surgically create a new ear canal before fabricating an eardrum using the patient’s own skin. This procedure can be performed before or during MEDPOR® surgery.

Although surgical repair is the preferred treatment for aural atresia, not all microtia patients will benefit from this procedure. Fortunately, Dr. Reinisch offers several treatment options that can greatly enhance a young patient’s life. Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA), which transmit sounds to the middle ear, are one of the most popular options. Soft band BAHA, which are suitable for infants, are also available. A vibrant sound bridge is another type of implantable hearing aid and delivers sound to the middle ear.